Tag: Grace of God

Is there really a “GRACE CONTROVERSY?!?

~ FATHERS HEART HOUSTON ~ 1 Comment
Biblically, there is really no “GRACE CONTROVERSY!”  Paul, in Romans chapters 5-7, emphatically declares that “sin reigned in death, and the strength of sin is the Law!”   It is through the ‘abundance of grace’ and of the ‘gift of righteousness’ that we will reign in life through the One, JESUS CHRIST. ( Romans 5:17)
Romans 6:1,2-  What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin that grace may …abound?  Certainly not!  How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?  Three questions here:  The are basically answered in Ro. 6:6-9-  Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.  For he who has died has been freed from sin.  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.  DEATH HAS NO LONGER DOMINION OVER HIM.
 
Romans 7:4-  Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another–to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.

 Since the “old man” ( old husband-the law) is dead, “the woman” (body of Christ) is freed from the Law, being married to Christ!  The only way to “Fall From Grace” is to attempt to be JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW.  (Gal. 5:4)  That is, to try through ‘physical’ requirements to please God, rather than what Gal 5:5 says, “For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.”

Then, the only way to be estranged from Christ, is to do what Jude spoke of in verse 4- For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the GRACE OF GOD INTO LEWDNESS and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

To do this, you have to “intentionally and willfully” walk away from the “true grace” of God through Christ Jesus, who “teaches us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present age,…

So, seeing that the GRACE OF GOD is the “divine favor and empowerment” of the Lord Jesus Christ to overcome sin, there is really no “condemnation, compromising, and controversy” concerning this abundant grace in Christ!  You cannot separate the grace of God from the TRUTH!

John 1:16,17- And of His fullness we have all received, and GRACE UPON (for) GRACE.  For the law was given through Moses, but GRACE AND TRUTH came through Jesus Christ. 

Finally, if all true believers and sons of God, come not only to the cross but ‘through’ the cross, they will realize that they are delivered from sin and death, and no longer want to give it any place in their lives, living victoriously through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 
I. Timothy 3:16-  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:  God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

JB 

THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE KINGDOM!

~ FATHERS HEART HOUSTON ~ 2 Comments

Acts 20:24,25 (Esv)- But I do not account my life of any value or as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, TO TESTIFY TO THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the KINGDOM will see my face no more.

Paul, the apostle, was addressing the elders in the church at Ephesus in this passage in Acts 20, and exhorting them with the word of the Lord! He went on to tell them that he was “innocent from the blood of all men, and he had not shunned to declare to them the whole or full counsel of God!”(vs. 26,27) Then, in verse 28, he gives personal instructions to the elders: Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed (shepherd and care for) the church of God, which He purchased or obtained with His own blood.

It’s interesting that Paul linked the “grace of God” and the “kingdom ” together! And what he told the elders could only be accomplished or done through the grace, or the empowering ability of God! The kingdom of God and Christ is not some legalistic laws and rules of man, but is established in the hearts of men through grace and truth  !John 1:17- The Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came or was realized by and through Jesus Christ

The proclaiming, or preaching of the kingdom, comes through personal loss and genuine humility in walking in the things of God. We do not go forth in our own strength or power, but in His authority! The kingdom is not in word, but in power. (1 Co. 4:20) 2 Tim. 1:8,9- Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not according to our works but because of HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE,…

His kingdom and His grace is revealed in His own purpose and destiny in us.  It truly is not about “us” but about what He’s already accomplished in His eternal purpose in Christ Jesus!  You may be going through things that you never imagined, but by and through His grace and purpose, you will see His glory and power and kingdom revealed!!

Heb. 12:27,28-  Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

BLESSINGS,

JB